Utility organizer for use on a deck rail

ABSTRACT

An organizer that is intended to hold multiple items that are used during outdoor cooking on a deck. The organizer includes a groove along the bottom surface adapted to fit snugly over the top of a deck rail, so that the organizer is self-supporting and easily accessible to a barbeque grill. The organizer also includes one or more hooks extending from the outer surface for hanging cooking utensils. Desirably it also includes a handle pivotally mounted thereon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and incorporates in its entirety by reference U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/871,886 filed Dec. 26, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers for organizing items used during outdoor grilling to provide a convenient container for carrying and storing utensils and to free the limited working space around a barbeque grill. In particular, the invention is concerned with a low a cost, self-supporting utensil organizer capable of resting securely on a deck rail without the need for modifications to the deck rail or fasteners of any type.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Barbeque grills are often stored on outdoor decks and have limited work space for cooking utensils or other items used during grilling. Grilling enthusiasts use a multitude of cooking utensils and flavorings and often use these items throughout the grilling process. Accordingly, there is a need for a convenient organizer for storing and carrying cooking implements for easy access during grilling on a deck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a utensil organizer for use on a deck rail, wherein a preferred embodiment of the organizer comprises an open, elongated basin with a groove along the bottom surface that enables the organizer to be set in a self-supporting way on a deck rail and at least one hook attached at the user side of the organizer.

It is an aspect of the invention that hooks can be attached and detached from a corresponding mounting point on the outer surface of the basin. It is also an aspect of the invention that, in an alternative embodiment, the hooks are integrally formed on the surface of the basin.

It is another aspect of the invention that it provides a utensil organizer comprising a basin, a pair of flanges extending downward from the basin, and a groove between the pair of flanges.

It is a further aspect of the invention that the organizer includes a removable lid. It is another aspect of the present invention that in a preferred embodiment, the lid is hingedly attached to the basin.

It is an advantage of the invention that the organizer is self supporting and does not require the use of any fasteners or any modifications to the deck rail upon which it is set.

It is an advantage of the invention that the organizer can be made of a light weight and inexpensive material.

It is an advantage of the invention that the organizer has a large capacity, but is designed to remain balanced on a deck rail when loaded.

It is yet another advantage of the invention that the organizer conserves the work space typically found on a household portable barbeque grill.

It is yet another advantage of the invention that the organizer provides the user with an area to store items while grilling that is easily accessible and frees the work space commonly associated with a household portable barbeque grill.

It is another aspect of the invention that the organizer can be fabricated as a unitary device.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention that a textured surface, such as a piece of foam rubber or a surface having multiple protrusions, is disposed on the interior side of at least one flange to provide additional security for the utensil organizer.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention that an insert may be placed inside the groove on the underside of the basin to reduce its width. The insert allows the utensil organizer to fit securely over deck rails that are significantly narrower than the groove.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention that a panel is installed within the basin, thereby forming a bottom surface of the basin that could support drinks.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention that the interior of the basin is subdivided into multiple compartments. It is another aspect of the present invention that in a preferred embodiment, multiple interlocking strips can be placed inside the basin to compartmentalize the storage space in a configuration chosen by the organizer's user.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention that it provides a handle that is movable about a pivot point mounted to the outer surface of the basin. It facilitates carrying and easy removal of the organizer from a deck rail.

It is another aspect of the present invention that the organizer may be shaped to have a large capacity and may be fabricated of any suitable material, but preferably a light weight, inexpensive material, such as moldable plastic. The advantage of this combination is that it would allow several cooking items that are typically stored in a kitchen to be carried to the deck in the organizer in one trip.

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a utensil organizer in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a utensil organizer in accordance with the invention, including a panel in the basin to support drinks or other items that require such a flat surface.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a utensil organizer in accordance with the invention, having a removable lid, a pivotably mounted handle, an insert placed inside the groove under the basin to more securely fit over thin rails, and interlocking strips for sectioning the space within the organizer into multiple compartments.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a utensil organizer in accordance with the invention, showing a deck rail fitting within the groove on the underside of the basin and a utensil hanging from a hook mounted to the basin.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a utensil organizer in accordance with the invention, showing the groove-adjusting insert placed inside the groove on the underside of the basin to allow it to fit securely over an abnormally thin deck rail. Also shown in FIG. 5 is a utensil hanging from a hook mounted to the basin.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a utensil organizer in accordance with the invention, showing strips of foam rubber mounted to the interior sides of the two flanges to provide additional security for the utensil organizer as it straddles a deck rail. Also shown in FIG. 6 is a utensil hanging from a hook mounted to the basin.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of an embodiment of a utensil organizer in accordance with the invention, showing protrusions on the interior sides of the two flanges to provide additional security for the utensil organizer as it straddles a deck rail. Also shown in FIG. 7 is a utensil hanging from a hook mounted to the basin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, utensil organizer 110 designed to be set on a deck rail is illustrated. Organizer 110 is in the shape of an elongated, open basin, though in general, various shapes are within the scope of the invention. Organizer 110 benefits from the elongated shape, in contrast with a square or circular horizontal cross section, because it maximizes the volume of organizer 110 and its capacity for holding items in basin 118 without compromising stability. Organizer 110 is elongated along the axis of a deck rail, rather than along its width. In other words, the larger dimension of the elongated organizer 110 is collinear to a groove 120 adapted to perch on a deck rail. This characteristic of the organizer 110 of the present invention enhances stability in use. While the elongated shape of organizer 110 is preferred because it adds to the stability provided by groove 120, shapes that are not elongated along the axis of a deck rail are also within the scope of the present invention. This is because the groove alone provides enough stability to keep the organizer secured to a deck rail without the need for modifications to the deck rail or fasteners of any type.

The open design of organizer 110 is advantageous because it allows for quick and easy access to basin 118 which can hold cooking items, such as sauces or spices that are used during the cooking process, and safety items, such as pot holders or oven mittens for handling hot items from the grill.

Along the bottom of organizer 110, running along the length of basin 118, is groove 120. Groove 120 enables organizer 110 to be set on and supported by a deck rail. Dimension “L1” is of sufficient magnitude to ensure that groove 120 fits snugly over a typically sized deck rail. Similarly, dimension “H1” is of sufficient magnitude to prevent organizer 110 from slipping off of a deck rail. A typical deck rail is formed from a 2×6 board, but in its finished form is somewhat thinner. Therefore, dimension “L1” is typically about 5.5 to 5.75 inches and “H1” is typically 2 inches or more. Optionally, the bottom of organizer 110 may be weighted, e.g. with ballast, to prevent the organizer from tipping over when set on a deck rail. By securely setting organizer 110 on a deck rail, the organizer 110 is in close proximity to someone using a barbeque grill on a deck, thus allowing easy and convenient access to organizer 110. Organizer 110 also frees the limited amount of workspace that is built into a typical outdoor portable grill by providing a convenient alternative location for storing cooking items.

One side of the organizer 110, referenced as 140, is the user side, or front outer surface of basin 118. When the organizer 110 is mounted on a deck rail, user side 140 is the side that faces the user of the organizer 110, providing easy access to utensils or other items hanging from hooks 130. In general, hooks 130 can be made of any suitable material and mounted by any suitable means or integrally formed on the user side of an embodiment of an organizer in accordance with the invention. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, hooks 130 are attached at mounting points 136 that allow hooks 130 to be detached and/or attached at respective mounting points 136.

FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of the present invention. The notable difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that organizer 210 has a horizontal support panel 256 located in the bottom of basin 218. Panel 256 provides a surface onto which drinks can be placed without the concern that they will fall over and spill out.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. There are four salient differences of organizer 310 shown in FIG. 3 from organizer 110 in FIG. 1. First, organizer 310 includes handle 362 mounted at pivot point 372. When the user of organizer 310 desires to remove it from a deck rail, the handle 358 facilitates easy removal. In addition, the fact that handle 358 is pivotable allows it to be moved out of the way during use of organizer 310. Second, organizer 310 includes a removable lid 358 to shield its contents from pests, such as insects, and weather, such as rain or snow. A hingedly attached lid, instead of the completely removable lid 358 shown here, is also within the scope of the invention. Third, within the basin is a set of interlocking strips 344 configured as a grid that compartmentalizes the storage space available in organizer 310, providing the user with various choices in organizing items or to quarantine certain cooking items, such as raw meat, to prevent cross-contamination of dangerous bacteria. Although the interlocking strips 344 are arranged in a grid in FIG. 3, they are adapted to be arranged into alternate configurations by the user, much like the partitioning strips found in a typical camera bag. Although the interlocking strips 344 are separate, removable pieces, it is also contemplated that in an alternative embodiment, compartments would be integrated into the body of an organizer. Fourth, organizer 310 includes a groove-adjusting insert attached along the bottom with dimensions “L3” and “H3” to provide a secure fit for a rail that is narrower than a typical deck rail. While less commonplace than a deck rail produced from a 2×6 board, many deck rails are formed from 2×4 boards. Again, a finished deck rail is generally thinner than the board it started from, so dimension “L3” for such a deck rail would be about 3.5 to 3.75 inches and “H3” would be at least 2 inches. Of course, deck rails are produced in other sizes, and it is within the scope of the invention to match the dimensions of alternate groove-adjusting inserts to those rails.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention. This view shows how deck rail 427 fits within groove 420 with flanges 424 and 426 of organizer 410 extending downward along the sides of deck rail 427. Also, this figure illustrates how hook 430 attached to mounting point 436 on the user side of the organizer 410 can be used to support various items, including utensil 433.

FIG. 5 shows an elevation view of another embodiment of the invention. Here, groove-adjusting insert 564 is attached under basin 518, inside groove 520, and between flanges 524 and 526 to allow organizer 510 to fit more securely over deck rail 527, which is narrower than a typical deck rail. Also shown is a utensil 533 hanging from hook 530, which is attached at mounting point 536.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an embodiment similar to the one in FIG. 4 with the exception that the inner surfaces of flanges 624 and 626 have a textured surface comprising strips of foam rubber 628 attached thereto. It is contemplated that at least one of the flanges, and preferably each flange, 624 and 626, may have one or multiple strips of foam rubber 628. The strips of foam rubber 628 serve to help keep organizer 610 firmly seated on deck rail 627. Also shown is a utensil 633 hanging from hook 630, which is attached at mounting point 636.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of an embodiment similar to the one in FIG. 4 except flanges 724 and 726 each have a textured inner surface, e.g. comprising protrusions 752. Protrusions 752 may be integrally formed on the organizer 710, such as being part of an injection-molded flange. Alternatively, they may be applied to flanges 724 and 726 after the flanges 724 and 726 have been manufactured, such as with an adhesive. Protrusions 752 are preferably formed of a similar material to that of the flanges 724 and 726. The purpose of the protrusions 752 is to help keep organizer 710 firmly secured on deck rail 727. Also illustrated is a utensil 733 hanging from hook 730, which is attached at mounting point 736.

The above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A utensil organizer capable of resting securely on a deck rail without the need for modifications to the deck rail or fasteners of any type for use by a person grilling on a deck, comprising: a basin with an open top and a front, back, left, right, and bottom outer surface, for storing cooking items used during grilling; two downwardly extending flanges with opposed inner surfaces and outer surfaces formed by the front and back outer surfaces of the basin, thereby providing a groove along the bottom outer surface of the basin between the two flanges to allow the organizer to securely straddle a deck rail with one side of the organizer facing the person; and at least one hook for hanging utensils, attached to the side of the organizer facing the person.
 2. The utensil organizer of claim 1, wherein the organizer is made of lightweight material.
 3. The utensil organizer of claim 2, wherein the lightweight material is moldable plastic.
 4. The utensil organizer of claim 1, wherein the at least one hook is molded into the organizer.
 5. The utensil organizer of claim 1, further comprising a weighted bottom to prevent the organizer from tipping over when set on a deck rail
 6. The utensil organizer of claim 1, wherein the length to width ratio of a horizontal cross section of the organizer is greater than 1 to
 1. 7. The utensil organizer of claim 1, further comprising at least one hook attached at a position on the side of the organizer facing the user, adapted to be detached and reattached at the same or a different position.
 8. The utensil organizer of claim 1, further comprising a horizontal support panel inside the basin, above the groove.
 9. The utensil organizer of claim 1, further comprising a handle pivotally mounted to the left and right outer surfaces of the basin to facilitate carrying and easy removal of the organizer from a deck rail.
 10. The utensil organizer of claim 1, further comprising a lid fitting over the top of the basin to protect the cooking items from weather and pests.
 11. The utensil organizer of claim 10, wherein the lid is hingedly attached to the basin.
 12. The utensil organizer of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner surfaces of the flanges is textured to provide additional security for the organizer as it straddles a deck rail.
 13. The utensil organizer of claim 12, wherein said at least one of the inner surfaces is textured with protrusions integrally formed thereon.
 14. The utensil organizer of claim 12, wherein said at least one of the inner surfaces is textured with foam rubber.
 15. The utensil organizer of claim 1, wherein compartments are formed within the basin to provide the user with various choices in organizing items or to quarantine certain cooking items.
 16. The utensil organizer of claim 15, wherein the compartments are formed by interlocking strips that fit into the basin and partition available storage space.
 17. The utensil organizer of claim 1, further comprising an insert adapted to be attached in the bottom outer surface of the basin, between the inner surfaces of the flanges, to allow the organizer to fit securely over a deck rail that is narrower than a typical deck rail. 